Fastener



July 29, 1930. D. A. BRENNAN FASTENEB Filed April 24, 1929 14 fz if 'from the tongues.

Patented `luly 29, 1930 PATENT oFFicE `1 JAN1EI.l A. BRENNAN, or cHIcAGoQILLINoIs i FASTENEB.

Applicationled Apri). 24, 1929, Serial No. 357,825, and in- Ganadaltatch. i, i

The invention relates broadly to fasteners, and more particularly to a new and improved .fastener for bindingpapers together, such as letters in a file, the fastener including a base having spaced tongues at its ends adapted to extend through apertures in the papers and through similarly spaced perforations in a keeper and bent down inwardly and clamped to said keeper.

An obj ect of the invention is to provide an improved fastener simpler and quicker to manipulate and more positive in binding than prior structure. Another object is to provide an improved 15 fastener with novel means for clamping its tongues to the keeper.

A further obj ect is to provide novel means for holding the locks outwardly and clear of the perforations when the keeper is detached Another object is to provide novel means for simultaneously bending the tongues toward and centering them on the keeper, and subsequently clamping them thereto.

A furtherobject is to provide novel means for limiting the inward travel of locks, slidably mounted on the keeper, irrespective -of to what extent the tongues'overlie the keeper.

Another object is to provide elevated guides for the locks to slide on and still maintain a bearing surface extending the entire length of the keeper for engagement with the papers as well as reinforcing means extending to the extreme ends.

Other objects andadvantages will become more apparent as the description proceeds, with reference to the illustrations on the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fastener embodying the features of the invention, il? llustrated in its application to file papers.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the keeper.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental side elevation of one end of the keeper with part of the lock brolocks.

Fi 6 is a fragmental plan view of a modii ied orm of keeper.

n Fig. 7 is a longitudinal'sectiontaken on line7-7 of Fig. 6. f

Fig. 8 is a 'fragmental view of a modified form of tongue.

Paper fasteners of the type comprising a base with spaced tongues adapted to pass throughaperturesin paper, and a keeper with registering apertures adapted to receive the tongues, in vsome instances are provided with locks for sliding over the tongues, after the latter are bent fiat on the keeper. In such devices, the locksV however, are usually arranged to slide only between the apertures, and no means is provided for retaining the locks in'position from which they can be moved directly over the tongues to clamp the latter in place. Consequently, either or both of the locks frequently must first be adj usted before theyV can be slid over lthe tongues, thereby resulting in inconvenience and waste of tim Indevices where the locks are movable outwardly on the keeper beyond :the -perforations from which position they are movable over the benttongues, no means is provided for retaining the locks in position, and hence they are movable freely oversubstantially Cil The presentinvention has as itsaim, the

provision of a new and improved paper fas` tener that is not subject to the'foregoing ob` j ections and disadvantages.

y Referring -to Fig. l of the drawing, the

fastener constituting the preferred embodi-` ment of the invention comprises a base 7 provided on its ends with spaced tongues 8 adapted to pass through similarly spaced perforations 9 (only one shown) in le papers 11. Preferably, the tongues 8 are substantiall less in width than the body of said base, an are struck up substantially at right an les thereto. Each tongue also preferably is ormed with a projection 14 adjacent its free end, for a purpose that will herelnafter ap ear. i

he base 7 normally is positloned to 11e flush against the bottom of the papers A11, and a keeper 13, formed with perforations or slots 12 in op osite ends for receiving the tongues 8, is a apted to ,be placed against the top of the papers.

Preferably the thin stiff material.

Provided on opposite ends of the keeper 13 are two sets of enerally longitudinal, parallel raised gui es or tracks lll-14 and 15-15, respectively. Preferably these tracks are in the form of ribs-produced by up-setting the metal of the keeper.

The tracks serve to reinforce the ends of the keeper against bending, and also to confine the tongues 8 laterally when the latter are bent over toward each other a ainst the keeper 13. The tracks are slight y spaced laterally from the side margins of the keeper, and these4 margins for a distance coextensive with the tracks are raised or elevated from the lane of the keeper to constitute guides or retaining ianges 21 of the tracks, the inner ends terminate short of the center of the keeper is formed. from a kee er, and the outer ends extend beyond the per orations 12 and preferably to the outer ends of the keeper.

Slidably disposed on the tracks at opposite ends of the keeper 13 are two blocks 16 respectively. .Preferably, each lock 16 is formed from a strip of meta-l extending transver-sely of the tracks and formed with spaced up-set ribs. 23 slidably co-acting with the tracks. The ends of' the locks 16 are bent downwardl and then under the guides 21 to constitute anges 22 for retaining the locks on the keeper. Preferably, the guides 21 are elevated sufficiently to cause the flanges 22 to clear the top of the papers 11.

The inner and outer ends of the tracks are curved laterally, preferably outwardly, to the side margins of the keeper 13, so as to constitute end abutments for the locks 16, limiting the movement of the Alatter along the keeper to the region of the tracks. The outer ends of the tracks however extend parallel for a substantial distance beyond the perforations 12 to permit the locks 16 to be moved outwardly beyond the perforations. Preferabl the locks 16 are slightly depressed over t e flanges 21. It will be evident thatfthe edges of the locks when moved against the curved ends of the tracks will havek a slight wedging or binding engagement therewith. This engagement will serve to hold the locks in either extreme position of adjustment, thereby preventing misadjustment. Preferably, the outer ends 17 of the tracks also are formed with a gradual upward taper, and the locks 16 are formed with outer end fiares 23 over the tracks adapted to efl'ect a binding engagement with the raised ends for holding the locks outwardly of the perforations 12 when the keeper is being attached to the base.

The keeper 13 is formed with alongitudinal `rib 18 spaced between the companion tracks, and terminating short of the perforations 12, to provide reinforcing. The rib- 18 also cooperates with the locks 16 to clamp the-tongues in place, and to this end, its ends 18 preferably taper gradually downwardly toward the perforations to improve their wedging cooperation with the locks to hold the tongues securely in place. j

Thellocks 16 may be flared inwardly and upwardly with respect to the keeper, as indicated at 24, and the side walls of said flares, may diverge from the longitudinal axis. The flares provide means for facilitating the bending of the tongues 8 from verticle position to a position fiat against the keeper 13, andthe diverging sides of the flares serve to center the tongues with respect to the tracks thus properly positioning them for clamping engagement with the ends 18` of the r1b 18. Thus, the rib 18 and the locks 16 cooperate to effect a tight clamp for the tongues not readily displaced. The projections 14 serve to limit the linwardfniovenaent of the locks 16 when the tongues overlap the keeper for but a short distance, as may be the case when the file -of papers 11 is relatively thick, and preferably also effect a binding engagementy with the looks to hold the latter in clamping position.

The modified form of invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 differs from the preferred form only in that the ends of its companion tracks 14e-14a and 15-15* are not curved.

The modified form of tongue illustrated in Fig. 8, differs from that shown in Fig. 1, in that it has projections 25 and 26 on opposite sides, the projection 26 to engage the lock 16 and the projection 25 to cooperate with the keep-er instead of with the rib 18.

'lhe fastener, as described, is provided with means for releasably holding the locks on the keeper outwardly of the perforations while the keeper is detached, and upon attachment of the base, by sliding the locks inwardly, the tongues are simultaneously forced down fiat thereon due to the fact that the ends of the vkeeper are outwardly of, but very close to the perforations. Due to the fact that the tracks extend outward of the apertures to the extreme ends of the keeper a bearing surface of proper stiffness is provided over the entire length of the keeper.. Also the central rrib is provided to cooperate with the locks to wedge the tongues to the keeper. Means also is provided on the tongues to prevent the but of. less height tudinal axis to l locks sliding off the ends thereof irrespective of the position of .the ends of the tongues` relative to the perforation.

I claim:

1. A paper fastener having, in combination, a base formed with two tongues, one at each endsaid tongues being less in width than said base and each of said tongues hav-- ing a small projection struck outwardly adjacent its free end, a keeper substantially coextensive in width with said base, and having spaced transverse perforations for said tongues to pass through, companion tracksl spaced to receive said tonguesthere between, arranged in pairs lextending lnwardly from the ends and stopping short of the medial portion, all of the ends of said. tracks curving outwardly to provide positive stops, the outer ends of said trackssgradually increasing in height towards the outer ends, guides formed along the longitudinal edges of the keeper coextensive with said tracks and elevated from the plane of the bottom of the keeper, a longitudinal rib struck up therein, than said companion tracks, tapering downwardly at bot-h ends toward and adjacent said apertures.\ two locks one slidably mounted over each pair of tracks, and having its ends `bent under said guides, said locks being arranged to bend the tongues downwardly into the space between the tracks while being slid inwardly, said locks also being iiared inwardly and upwardly, said flares diverging from the longiprovide tongue aligning means, and saidlocks also having upturned portions on the louter' edges overlying each track to facilitate their wedging to the outer ends of the tracks.

2. A keeper for paper fasteners, having perforations adjacentits ends, arib on the longitudinal axis` extending short of said perforations, companion tracks arranged in pairs extending from the ends of saidkeeper inwardly a short distance, all of the ends of `said tracks curving outwardly to provide positive stops, the outerends of said tracks gradually sloping `upwardly toward the adjacent end of the keeper, horizontal flanges providing elevated guides formed along the longitudinal edges of the keeper coextensive with said tracks, and two locks, one slidably mounted over each pair of companion tracks, the ends of the locks being bent under the lateral edges of said elevated guides. with the lower faces of said ends elevated from the plane of the bottom face of the keeper.

3. A keeper for paper fasteners having., perforations adjacent its ends, a rib on the longitudinal axis, its ends being spaced from said perforations, companion tracks arranged in pairsextending inwardly from the endsofsaid keeper and stopping short of its medial portion, allof the ends of said tracks curving outwardly to provide positive stops,

the longitudinal ends of said tracks gradually sloping upwardly toward the adjacent ends of said keeper, horizontal flanges providing elevated guides formed along the longitudinal edges of the keeper coextensive` with said tracks, and two locks, one slidably mounted over each pair of companion tracks, the ends of said locks being bent under the lateral edges of said elevated guides, said bent over portions being disposed entirely above the plane of the bottom face of the keeper, the locks being slightly flared over each ofthe tracks to facilitate wedging thereon outwardly of andclearofsaid perforations.

4. A paper fastener comprising a base having spaced tongues, and a keeper havin similarly spaced perforations for saiii tongues to pass through, a rib on the longitudinal axis extending short of said' perforations. companion tracks arranged in pairs extending inwardly from the ends of said keeper, all of the ends of said tracks curving outwardly to provide positive stops, the ends of said tracks outward of said perforations gradually sloping upwardly toward the adjacent ends of said keeper, elevated guides formed along the longitudinal edges of the keeper coextensive with said tracks and a lock slidably mounted over each pair of companion tracks adapted to bend the tongues, when4 the latter are passed through the perforations, into the space between the tracks and wedge said tongues to said rib, the ends of said locks being bent under the lateral edges of said elevated guides, said bent over portions being disposed entirely above the plane of the bottom face of the keeper.

5. A paper fastener comprising a base having spaced tongues, and a keeper having similarly spaced perforations for tongues to pass through, a rib on the longitudinal axis extending short of and tapering toward said perforations, companion tracks arranged in pairs extending inwardly from the ends of said keeper, all of the ends of said tracks curving outwardlyto provide stops for locks, the outer ends of said tracks gradually sloping upwardly toward the adjacent end of said keeper. elevated guides formed along the longitudinal edges of the keeper coextensive with said tracks, and a lock slidably mounted over each pair of companion tracks Vadapted to bend the tonguesv down when the tongues are passed through the perforations into the space between the tracks. the locks being formed with means for gradually centering the tongues between the tracks and wedging them to said rib, the

said

ends of said locks being bent under thalc lateral edges of said elevated guides, said bent over portions being disposed entirely above the planeof the bottom face of the keeper,

6. A fastener adapted to bind a plurality of papers together comprising in combination, a base having spacedtongues and a projection adjacent the free end of each tongue adapted to provide a stop when many papers are bound, and a keeper adapted to bear on said papers over its entire length, having spaced perforations for said tongues to pass through, a rib on the longitudinal axis extending short of and tapering toward said perforations, all of the ends of said tracks being provided with stops, the outer ends of said tracks gradually sloping upwardly toward the adjacent ends of said keeper, elevated guides formed along the longitudinal edges of the keeper coextensive with said tracks, and locks one slidably mounted over each pair of tracks adapted to bend the tongues when the latter are passed through the perforations into the space between said tracks to wedge said tongues to said rib, the ends of said locks being bent under the lateral edges of said elevated guides, said bent under portions being disposed entirely above theplane of the boti tom face of the keeper.

7. A keeper for paper fasteners having, perforations adjacent its ends, stops outwardly of said perforations, companion tracks arranged in pairs extending inwardly from the ends, a longitudinal rib extending 'between said tracks, elevated guides coextensive with said tracks formed on the edges of the keeper, and a lock mounted for sliding over each pair of tracks, the ends of the locks extending under the guides.

8. A keeper for paper fastener having, perforations adjacent its ends, companion tracks extending inwardly from the ends, stops on the outer ends of said tracks, a longitudinal rib spaced from said tracks and tapering toward said perforations, elevated guides coextensive with the tracks formed on the edges of the keeper, and a lock mounted for` sliding over said tracks the ends of the locks extending under the guides.

9. A fastener having, in combination, a base provided with spaced tongues, and a keeper having similarly spaced perforatlons for said tongues to pass through, stops outwardly of said perforations, companion tracks arranged in pairs extending inwardly from the ends, a central longitudinal ribbetween said perforations, elevated guides formedonthe edges of the keeper, and locks mounted for sliding on said guides, arranged to bend said tongues into clamping engagement with said rib.

10. A fastener having, in combination, a base provided with spaced tongues, stops on said tongues, and a keeper having similarly spaced perforations for said tonguesy to pass through, stops outwardly of said perforations, and locks slidable on said keeper between said stops.

11. A fastener comprlsing in combination,

a keeper having spaced apertures, a base having spaced tongues adapted to be inserted through said apertures and bent over said keeper, stops formed on the free ends of said tongues, and locks slidably secured to said keeper for movement from beyond said apertures inwardly over said tongues, said stops limiting the inward movement of said locks.

12. A fastener comprising, in combination, a tlat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a fiat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and thenbent inwardly toward each other against said keeper, and two locks y on said keeper movable respectively from opposite ends of said keeper beyond said apertures inwardly over said tongues, said locks each being formed with an upwardly and inwardly flared otfset portion aligned with said tongues and adapted to deflect said tongues inwardly against said keeper upon inward n'iovement of said locks.

3. A fastener comprising, in combination,

a flat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent inwardly toward each other against said keeper, two pairs of parallel longitudinal tracks one pair formed in cach end of said keeper, the tracks of each pair extending along opposite sides of said keeper the ends of each track being gradually curved laterally toconstitute stops, and two locks on said keeper one movable along each pair of tracks betweenl said stops and past the adjacent aperture, selective engagement between said locks and said stops being a binding engagement tending to retain said locks against said stops. i

14. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on-each end, said tongues being adapted to beinserted through said apertures and then bent inwardly toward each other against said keeper, two pairs of parallel longitudinal tracks one pair formed in each end of said keeper, the tracks of each pair extending along opposite sides of said keeper', the outer end of each track from a pointbeyond the adjacent aperture being flared upwardly'to constitute an end sto and two locks on said keeper one movable along each pair of tracks past the adjacent aperture andadapted to be moved into binding engagement with the adjacent stops.

l5. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent inwardly toward each other against said keeper, two

pairs of parallel longitudinal tracks one pair formed in each end of said keeper, the tracks of each pair extending along opposite sides of said keeper, the outer end of each track being curved outwardly gradually to the adjacent` end corner of said keeper and being flared upwardly to constitute an end stop, and `two locks on said keeper one movable along each pair of tracks past the adjacent aperture and against the adjacent stop. i

16. A fastener comprising, in combination, a flat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent inwardly toward each other against said keeper, two pairs of parallel tracks one pair formed in each end of said keeper, the tracks of each pair extending longitudinally of said keeper and at opposite sides of said apertures and said tongues, a central longitudinal rib formed in said keeper between the tracks of each palr and terminatingv short of said apertures, the ends of said rib being tapered to said keeper, and two locks on said keeper movable respectively from opposite ends of said keeper b eyond said apertures linwardly over said tongues to confine the latter against the ends of said rib and between said tracks.

17.l A fastener comprising, in combination,

a liat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat elongated base vhaving spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and 'then bent inwardly toward each other against said keeper, two pairs of parallel tracks one pair formed ineach end of said keeper, the tracks of each pair extending longitudinally of said keeper and at opposite sides of said apertures and said tongues, a central longitudinal rib formed 1 n said keeper between the tracks of each pair and terminating short of saidapertures, the ends of said rib being tapered to said keeper, and two locks on said keeper movable'respec tively from opposite ends ofsaid keeper b eyond said apertures inwardly over said tongues to confine the latter against the ends of said rib and between said tracks, each of said locks having a portion between the underlying tracksA flared upwardly and 1nwa'rdly.

18. A fastener comprising, in combination, a fiat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in eachend, a fiat elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent inwardly toward each otheragainst said keeper, two pairs of parallel tracks one pair formed in each end of said keeper, the tracks of each pair extending longitudinally of said keeper and at opposite sides of Said apertures and'said tongues, a central longitudinal rib formed in said keeper between said tracks, each of `said locks hav- 1 ing a portion between 'the underlying tracks flared upwardly and inwardly and stops for said locks formed on the free end of said tongues.l

` 19. A fastener comprising, in combination, a liat elongated keeper having spaced apertures one in each end, a flat-elongated base having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through toward each other against said keeper, a central longitudinal rib formed in ,said keeper and terminating short of said apertures, and two locks one on each end of said keeper movable from beyondsaid apertures inwardly over said `tongues to secure the ,latter against the endsofsaid rib.

. 20. A fastener comprising,in combination, a flat` elongated keeper having spaced. a ertures one in each end, a flat elongated ase having spaced tongues one on each end, said tongues being adapted to be inserted through said apertures and then bent inwardly toward each other against said keeper, longitudinal tracks formed in said keeper along its margins, and a central longitudinal rib formed in said keeper between said apertures, and two locks movable on said. keeper outwardly beyond said apertures, and inwardly over said tongues to confine the latter to said keeper between said tracks.

21. In a fastener, a keeper comprising a flat elongated member formed with parallel side tracks, a longitudinal intermediate rib an aperture at one end of said rib and between said tracks, and a lock on said member movable along said tracks past said aperture, the outer ends of said tracks being curved to form stops for said'lock.

' 22. An article of the class described having, in combination, a keeper provided withv perforations adjacent its, ends, relatively short diverting longitudinal runways formed in said keeper at both sides of said perforaitudinal companion runways formed in the eeper, at both sides of each perforation, and extending inwardly and outwardly beyond said perforations, said runways being flared to form stops, locks arranged to slide between said stops one of said locks being provided to pass beyond each of said perforations.

25. A fastener having, in combination, a base provided with tongues, a keeper having 10 transverse apertures spaced to receive said tongues, longitudinal companion runways at opposite sides of the apertures extending inwardly from the ends of the keeper a short distance beyond said apertures, said runways being flared and a lock mounted on each of said companion runwaysfor sliding over said perforatons and limited in travel by said flares.

26. A fastener having, in combination, a base provided with a tongue at each end adapted to be bent upwardly to substantial parallelism, a keeper having apertures spaced to receive said tongues, locks mounted on said keeper outwardly of said apertures adapted to slide over and force said tongues downwardly and 4means on the keeper for limiting the travel of said locks.

In testimony whereof I ailixvmy signature at 10 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois. DANIEL A. BRENNAN. 

